The Gift of Contentment
I have some impressive friends.
One of my friends has seen a lot of ups and downs in his life – lots of impressive wins and sad losses – but his attitude towards them all and towards life is what impresses me most.
More than anyone I know he exemplifies those memorable lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If”:
[If you can] watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you ask my friend how he is doing, most of the time you’ll hear him respond, “I’m good! I have everything I need and most of what I want.” His life situation never seems to change his response.
It reminds me of something I read from another man who knew plenty of ups and downs in his life:
I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well-fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.
In other words, “I have learned to be content by trusting and relying on God.” I see that same heart-habit in my friend’s life.
This gift of contentment is both a blessing to his life and a blessing to everyone around him. I know it has been a blessing to me to watch and know and I hope it grows in me the same way.
You may also be interested in reading:
